Noah's issues no surprise

NBA

January 15, 2008|By Dave Curtis, Sentinel Staff Writer

Bulls center Joakim Noah is expected to return to action tonight against the Magic following a two-game suspension he served over the weekend.

Noah, who helped lead UF to the last two collegiate national championships, got benched for the Bulls' win in Philadelphia on Friday after a verbal altercation with assistant coach Ron Adams during practice. His teammates voted to extend the suspension to Sunday's game in Atlanta, which they lost 105-84.

Noah did not return several messages left with him Monday but said at his team's midday practice that he planned to learn from the punishment and move on.

"It was the players' decision, and they thought I was in the wrong," he told reporters. "I don't agree with it, but at the same time, I'm going to take it."

In Gainesville on Monday, UF Coach Billy Donovan claimed ignorance about Noah's problems -- the ex-Gator didn't respond to a text message or a voice mail Donovan left Sunday. But he said he feels sure Noah's motivation is to help the team improve its 14-21 record.

The coach, though, conceded that the problems weren't unexpected. He said he discussed Noah's charisma with Bulls General Manager John Paxson and said he worried some that Noah's nature would bother some of his future teammates.

"I could see some of those things being a challenge for him," Donovan said.